who am I?

I am a Canadian (Vancouver, BC) Circular Sock Machine nerd. I own two machines (they are those shown on the right hand side of this page and are fully compatible with one another). Actually technically I have three machines but the vintage 1893 machine might have a new home…

From my first venturing with this lovely craft I’ve found how unfortunately negative some people chose to be - especially if they see someone providing information and learning completely for free. I’ve had spiteful persons demand so and so’s 10 year ago event demo was the best way they found - aren’t we allowed to have our own opinions? That I’m here helping because I can - why is that a problem for some? Just because I work as much as I do and I STILL dedicate probably too much time to help others without bragging enough online does not mean I’m not still helping others out of the spotlight.

My one and only goal continues to be to help share the love and info I have for using the circular sock machine. If you’re here for some other reason than to help pay it forward to help someone else please continue elsewhere.

In terms of CSM methods and techniques - the CSM has been around for quite some time by now so certainly perhaps a technique isn’t new (perhaps newly rediscovered?). I am pretty much on my own in my learning (not living near where CSM events tend to happen), however anything I’ve shared has and will continue to be upfront - I’m not here to be prominent or popular but to simply help.

I fully share all that I have found with you and only ask that you help someone else with what you learn.

Here are my contributions:

• A supply of creative tips and tricks - see My Ideas and Upgrades

• An alphabetical page of compiled TECHNIQUES found under the menu MY PATTERNS AND VIDEOS. with an ALL IN ONE PLACE resource listing of universal info and some of my own developed techniques. This includes:

  • The Anchor Yarn Tail Technique - how to work in the start yarn tail easily on a Cuff Down Ribbed Sock - ON the machine.

  • Easy technique to apply the picot and split rings on a hung hem - a technique often used to create a cast on bonnet

  • Modifying a plastic lid to seat on top of the cylinder needles to make stitch fixing easier (no need for an elastic!)

  • A DIY crankwheel locking bungee cord to prevent others from messing with the machine if you step away.

• A full menu of MY PATTERNS AND VIDEOS - With a variety of specific info pages: Cuff Down or Toe Up SOCKS. I’m proud to say that once I started creating help videos with patterns that slowly step by step walked through techniques (with matched written patterns) this seemed to positively encourage others to do the same (at least with NOW mentioning clock reference points on the CSM - which previously I found videos lacked - so frustrating!

• Completely on my own I came up with my own method of PARKING THE RIBBER (removing the ribber during a sock). That video also helps demonstrate how to fix any dropped stitches while the sock is on the machine. This is shown on the page under the title “Cuff Down Ribbed Sock with Ribber Removal (Park & Rest)” - the image beside has an amber colored sock “how to make a cuff down ribbed sock on a CSM”. This video is also presented with the detailed printable pattern that can be followed. Much later I was advised by a person that they also made a video - its such a great idea we both came up with versions!

• Creator of the UNIVERSAL CAST ON BONNET - a flat designed bonnet usually with split rings (although non-split rings work if preferred) which can be used on ANY cylinder* (not just the one it was made on) *I usually make mine on a 96 slot cylinder - I even created a FREE step by step how to make a Universal Bonnet also offering some to purchase at a reduced rate for those not wanting to create one themselves - UNIVERSAL BONNETS

• Visual categorized record all the Ravelry projects I’ve created in category and year for easy Ravelry identification and then view for further details - MY SCRAPBOOK

• A page of categorized confirmed clickable linked YouTube User Videos CSM VIDEO HOTLIST (YOUTUBE) with identified machines noted in most links

• A robust YouTube channel featuring all of the my videos

• First to provide a very detailed CSM resource (off Facebook) aimed at helping all in the CSM community just because, free of charge. With quick look up INDEX page and more.

• My site is being built for knowledge, although due to popular insistence I offer Universal Bonnets for sale while also providing very detailed video instruction on how to make Universal Bonnets and regular Cast On Bonnets yourself.

Horn tooting done. Back to our regularly scheduled page. :)

BIO:

I am a full time dental professional who loves to create with a Circular Sock Knitting Machine. I live in Vancouver, BC Canada.

I saw my first in-person CSM-Circular Sock Knitting Machine (an Auto Knitter brand machine at a knit night in 2012 and not long after strove to obtain one). I bought what I thought was a working antique Legare 400 CSM which purchased from eBay in 2012. It didn’t work and was later serviced semi-locally in 2014. I then tried using it for a couple projects in 2015 but honestly didn’t really concentrate on using the Legare until 2018.

Finding no info nearby, the internet became my lifeline with my first CSM event attended in Spokane, WA Sept 2018 (a 7 hour drive from home). My second event was Pat Fly’s Lacey, WA weekend event in Nov 2018 (a 4 hour drive). My event schedule - past and upcoming.

Both events were awesome even life changing - it was so inspiring!

(Make sure you bring what you need).

I am not alone. And neither are you. Yay. :)

I love creating with the machine, sharing and helping where I can just because. I strive to pay it forward and to offer help and info to those out in internet land, perhaps to make things easier for others on this journey.

I hope this site inspires you to explore new things and to help others.

Feel free to follow me on social media!

Thank you for your time - have a GREAT DAY!

Karen

http://www.csmlove.com
Email: csmloveinfo @ gmail.com

I am so excited to be able to share this online experience!

My Circular Sock Machine history in a nutshell

2012 - Purchased what I thought was a working machine from the only place I could find online - eBay for about CAD$700. It did not work.

April 27, 2014 - Dropped off Legare 400 at Susan & Andrew Forsyth’s in Mission, BC Canada. Picked up repaired and working June 15, 2014. Machine not really used until 2018.

October 17, 2019 - Sent machine to Dave Lord of Chambord CSM in Compton, Quebec Canada to be refurbished. See the blog entry.

July 28, 2021 - Waitlist ordered Chambord CSM AccuKnitter 400 arrived from Dave Lord of Chambord CSM in Compton, Quebec Canada. See the announcement.

I have three machines the - Legare 400 (vintage refurbished machine), the Chambord CSM AccuKnitter (brand new machine) and the oldest machine, a 1893 Vintage Gearhart with rotating cylinder.

Both the Legare and Chambord CSM AccuKnitter machines are 100% compatible with one another (which was my intention). The very vintage Gearhart is super lightweight (doesn’t have a ribber and that’s okay) was refurbished by Chambord CSM in 2022 and such a gem.